Ecological Status: An important cultivar under threat from climate change.

Plant Part Used: Fruit, leaves

In Greek mythology, grapes have their own God, Dionysius, who is the original vintner and the disseminator of the art of viniculture. He wandered around, conducting this mission, accompanied by wild and intoxicated Maenads.

Indeed, Dionysius wandered quite far afield, even to India, where viticulture may have been introduced by Persian traders sometime as early as the 4th millennium BC. These early plantings appear to have been used mostly for table grapes or grape juice—both important in Ayurvedic texts-- rather than in making wine. During the Vedic period of the 2nd and 1st millennia, the Aryans were noted for their indulgence in intoxicating drinks, which probably included wine. The first known mention of grape-based wines occurs in the writings of Chanyaka, chief minister of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, in in the late 4th century BC. It appears that the emperor and courtiers liked to indulge in madhu, a grape wine.

Properties

Grapes that are more sour in taste, whether by variety or because they are unripe, will be light in property and tend to increase pitta, kapha and bleeding disorders. Sweet and astringent grapes (like concord grapes) are preferred and their properties, when well-ripened, are as follows:

11. Anaemia: For iron deficiency, soak a handful of raisins in water overnight and eat in the morning with a teaspoon of honey.

Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.

Ayurveda, literally translated as the “science of life,” is the ancient Indian art of physical, mental, and emotional healing. Based on harmonizing the natural elements within and around us, Ayurvedic medicine is a time-tested system of holistic health that is highly specific to each unique individual. Ayurvedic treatments include delicious foods, medicinal herbs, massage, yoga, meditation, and other simple lifestyle changes that work to restore your body to its innate, healthy balance. LEARN MORE